Sepilak Orangutan rehab center
Our early flight brought us to the small town of Sandakan on the East Coast of Malaysian, Borneo. Still in the same state, Sabah. Our tour guide ‘Sevvy’ met our flight and took us first to the Sepilak Orangutan rehab center.
The way it works is truly fabulous—and it has been in operation for many years. They take injured, displaced or orphaned orangutans in. If they are babies they are raised in the indoor area first. They are taught to climb and swing on giant playgrounds with support and encouragement. It is important that they bond with each other, create buddies. The caregivers try not to give them too much touch and attention — which feels sad to me, but is right for them, so they don’t become too attached.
When they are about five years old, like human kindergarteners they graduate to the outdoor nursery where they have more free time and more challenging climbing playgrounds. They are free to roam as far as they want, there are no fences. The youngest ones stay close, the older ones start to venture out. The ones that are nearly ready to be free also come around at feeding time so the littles have older orangutans to model behavior. Last, the orangutans who are ready are released at “platform A.” They live in the trees and food is offered a few times a day. They may come and go as they like which is less frequently as they range further away, but at their own pace, free to come back for food when they want. There are acres and acres, miles and miles of protected lands for them to roam. It’s a beautiful system, works well, and tourists like us come to watch the process in fascination—which helps fund the place, of course. Some pictures here and below that some even better little movie snips. The pics and video in the grassy area is the kiddie area, then the other one, with the platforms in the trees is Platform A.
Last, the center does take in other animals and birds. A couple of pics of the two sun bears in residence.
The guy who brings the food out in that big basket on his back like a backpack stands guard to keep the large population of Macaque monkeys at bay. Then when the Orangutans are finished he leaves and the monkeys go bananas. See second video below. The third video is of the area where the optional feeding for the older semi-free orangutans. You can see the Macaques dodging in and out trying to get their share there, too.
It is a true blessing when the freed orangutans begin their own families. You can see a mother and baby here, come in for a feeding. It’s also fun to watch the pesky, persistent Macaque always vying for the food.
The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest bear, standing nearly 70 centimeters (28 inches) at the shoulder and weighing 25–65 kilograms (55–143 pounds). The range of the sun bear is bound by northeastern India to the north and extends south to southeast through Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam in mainland Asia to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to the south. These bears are threatened by heavy deforestation, illegal wildlife trade and are also harmed in conflicts with humans when they enter farmlands, plantations and orchards. The global population is estimated to have declined by 35% over the past three decades and is listed as ‘vulnerable.’
Sun bear, sunning. Another you can barely see in the shade.
